Ukrainian Authorities Seize Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Ship Smuggling Stolen Wheat
Ukraine seized a foreign vessel allegedly involved in transporting stolen Ukrainian grain from Russian-occupied territories, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said on April 25.
The ship, reportedly part of Russia‘s so-called “shadow fleet,” was detained in Ukraine‘s internal Black Sea waters. According to the SBU statement, the vessel had loaded around 5,000 tons of stolen Ukrainian wheat from the Russian-occupied port city of Sevastopol in late 2023 and attempted to disguise its operations by sailing under the flag of an Asian country.
Evidence Uncovered During Search
During the search, authorities discovered documents, navigation equipment, and other evidence allegedly confirming the ship’s role in smuggling Ukrainian agricultural products. The SBU said that the vessel and its crew have been detained, and an investigation is underway to identify all parties involved.
The operation was carried out by the SBU in cooperation with Ukraine‘s Navy and maritime border units, under the supervision of the Prosecutor’s Office for Crimea and Sevastopol.
Impact on Ukrainian Agriculture
Russia‘s theft of Ukrainian grain and repeated attacks on agricultural infrastructure have caused severe damage to Ukraine‘s farming industry, once among the world’s top wheat producers. The situation worsened after Moscow withdrew from the Black Sea grain deal in July 2023, although Ukraine later established a new maritime trade corridor.
Despite the losses, Ukraine managed to export nearly 100 million tons of goods from January to September 2023.
Original Article: Ukraine detains Russian ‘shadow fleet’ ship smuggling stolen grain from Crimea, SBU says — Kyivindependent